Cat Quest 3 Review | A Pawsome Treasure Trove of Cat-tastic Quests

80
Story
8
Gameplay
8
Visuals
9
Audio
7
Value For Money
8
Price:
$ 20
Reviewed on:
PS4
Cat Quest 3 is a well-rounded adventure game that excels in many areas, particularly in its visuals and gameplay. The game delivers on its promise of lovable cats and captivating quests, providing an enjoyable and engaging experience. While it doesn't introduce groundbreaking innovations or achieve perfection in every aspect, it offers a solid and satisfying adventure that is worth the time and investment. The combination of tactical combat, extensive customization, and beautiful visuals makes it a game that fans of the series and newcomers alike will appreciate.
Cat Quest 3
Gameplay & Story Release Date Pre-Order & DLC Review

Cat Quest 3 invites you to sail the high seas as a charming purrivateer in search of the mythical North Star while battling the notorious Pi-rats and their leader. Read our review to see what it did well, what it didn't do well, and if it's worth buying.

Cat Quest 3 Review Overview

What is Cat Quest 3?

Cat Quest 3 is a 2.5D action-adventure game where you play as a cute swashbuckling purrivateer on a quest to find the long-lost mythical treasure, the North Star. Navigate the seven seas, battle notorious Pi-rats led by the Pi-rat King, and enjoy engaging melee combat and adventurous naval battles. The game’s charming visuals, tactical land combat, and customizable characters create a captivating experience.

Cat Quest 3 features:
 ⚫︎ Pirate Themed
 ⚫︎ Well Rounded Adventure
 ⚫︎ Lovable Cat Characters
 ⚫︎ Local Co-op
 ⚫︎ Dungeon Crawling
 ⚫︎ Stunning 2.5D Graphics
 ⚫︎ Rest Areas & Save Points
 ⚫︎ New Game+

For more gameplay details, read everything we know about Cat Quest 3's gameplay and story.


Digital Storefronts
Steam IconSteam Playstation IconPlayStation Xbox IconXbox Switch IconSwitch
Price: $19.99


Cat Quest 3 Pros & Cons

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Pros Cons
Checkmark Character & Ship Customization
Checkmark Tactical Land Combat
Checkmark Abundant Side Quests
Checkmark No Quest Journal
Checkmark One Camera Angle
Checkmark Fixed Controls

Cat Quest 3 Overall Score - 80/100

Cat Quest 3 is a well-rounded adventure game that excels in many areas, particularly in its visuals and gameplay. The game delivers on its promise of lovable cats and captivating quests, providing an enjoyable and engaging experience. While it doesn't introduce groundbreaking innovations or achieve perfection in every aspect, it offers a solid and satisfying adventure that is worth the time and investment. The combination of tactical combat, extensive customization, and beautiful visuals makes it a game that fans of the series and newcomers alike will appreciate.

Cat Quest 3 Story - 8/10

The story of Cat Quest 3 is engaging and well-crafted, centering around a charming main quest that involves seeking the northern star with a spirit companion while competing against other pi-rats. This narrative framework provides a solid foundation for the game's adventures. However, while the story is enjoyable and filled with delightful moments, it doesn't introduce groundbreaking elements or profound twists that would elevate it to a higher score. The plot is straightforward and predictable at times, which, although not detrimental, prevents it from achieving a higher rating. The character interactions and humor are highlights, adding a layer of charm to the narrative, but overall, the story remains good rather than exceptional.

Cat Quest 3 Gameplay - 8/10

Cat Quest 3 delivers a robust gameplay experience with its tactical combat, customizable builds, and abundant side quests. The flexibility in character and ship customization allows players to tailor their experience to their liking, whether they prefer magic, melee combat, or a balanced approach. The game's exploration elements, including island hopping and dungeon crawling, are rewarding and filled with secrets. However, minor issues like the lack of a quest journal and the fixed camera angle slightly detract from the overall experience. These elements could be improved to provide a smoother and more intuitive gameplay experience. Despite these drawbacks, the core gameplay remains engaging and satisfying, warranting a strong score.

Cat Quest 3 Visuals - 9/10

The visuals in Cat Quest 3 are one of its standout features. The 2.5D art style is beautifully executed, creating a vibrant and immersive world. The detailed environments, from lush islands to intricate dungeons, are visually stunning and make exploration a pleasure. Character designs and animations are equally impressive, adding to the game's overall charm. The graphical fidelity enhances the experience, making every scene a visual delight. The only reason this score isn't a perfect 10 is due to the fixed camera angle, which sometimes limits the player's ability to fully appreciate the detailed environments. Nevertheless, the visual presentation is top-notch and greatly contributes to the game's appeal.

Cat Quest 3 Audio - 7/10

The audio in Cat Quest 3 complements its visual and gameplay elements well. The background music sets the tone for different environments and situations, while sound effects enhance the immersion. However, the audio experience doesn't stand out as much as the visuals or gameplay. The soundtrack, while fitting, lacks memorable tracks that stick with the player after the game is turned off. Similarly, sound effects are effective but not extraordinary. The audio does its job well but doesn't excel to the point of being a defining feature of the game. It's solid and functional, contributing to the overall atmosphere without overshadowing other elements.

Cat Quest 3 Value for Money - 8/10

Cat Quest 3 offers good value for $19.99, especially for fans of the adventure genre. The game provides a substantial amount of content, including a captivating main quest, numerous side quests, and extensive customization options. The replay value is high, as players can experiment with different builds and approaches to combat and exploration. Despite some minor issues, the game's strengths in visuals, gameplay, and content make it a worthwhile investment. The price point is reasonable given the amount of enjoyment and playtime the game offers, making it a solid choice for those looking for their next adventure.

Cat Quest 3 Review: A Pawsome Treasure Trove of Cat-tastic Quests

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Cat Quest 3 begins with taking on the role of a purrivateer on a quest to find the northern star, accompanied by a spirit companion, Captain Cappey. This charming premise sets the stage for a series of adventures filled with competition against other pi-rats. The main quest is engaging, providing a clear objective while allowing for plenty of exploration and side activities. The lore is well-crafted, with different bits and pieces scattered throughout the game that hint at the significance of the northern star and the importance of being its seeker. This adds depth to the story, making the journey feel even more meaningful.

The game excels in its exploration mechanics, with island hopping and dungeon crawling being major highlights. Each island and dungeon is packed with secrets, making every exploration session rewarding. The detailed environments are visually stunning, and the sense of discovery is a constant motivator for me to explore every corner of the map. The game's design ensures there are no dull moments, with each area offering unique challenges and rewards.

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Side quests are abundant and straightforward, providing additional content that complements the main storyline. These quests range from simple tasks to more complex missions, adding variety to the gameplay. One side quest that particularly stands out is on Lovepurr Island with Clawford, an author who needs help rewriting their books. This quest feels different from the others, showcasing the game's creativity and unique approach to side content. It’s these unique and varied side quests that significantly increase the game's longevity.

The tactical land combat is a standout feature, requiring me to think strategically about each encounter. You can battle significantly higher-level enemies if you memorize their movements and calculate your attacks. The flexibility in character builds allows for diverse playstyles, making each battle unique. I chose to customize my purrivateer as a mage, but you can choose to be a melee fighter depending on your preference. This customization extends to the ship as well, adding another layer of depth to the gameplay.

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However, there are areas where the game could be improved. The lack of a quest journal makes it difficult to keep track of quest details, which can be frustrating. While the game tracks quests on the world map, a detailed log would provide a clearer and more organized way to manage objectives. Additionally, the fixed camera angle can be limiting, especially during exploration and combat. Allowing players to adjust the camera would enhance the gameplay experience and provide better visibility.

High sea battles, while enjoyable, lack the intensity of land combat. These encounters feel like a missed opportunity, as they don't match the excitement and depth of other gameplay aspects. Enhancing the mechanics of sea combat, such as incorporating strategic elements, varied enemy types, and dynamic weather conditions, could significantly improve these sections of the game.

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Another notable issue is, not unless you're a wand user, there is a lack of invincibility frames (I-frames) for dodging. While the dodging mechanic is still useful in battle, especially with accessories that add more actions while dodging, it lacks effectiveness in certain situations. Dodging forward is particularly problematic, as non-wand users could still take damage from attacks, even when they appear to have avoided them. This limitation makes dodging less reliable and can lead to frustration during intense combat scenarios especially in tight places.

Overall, Cat Quest 3 is a game that delivers a solid and enjoyable adventure. It excels in its visuals, gameplay, and content, providing a satisfying experience for players. While it doesn't introduce groundbreaking innovations, it offers a well-rounded and engaging game that fans of the series and newcomers alike will appreciate.

Pros of Cat Quest 3

Things Cat Quest 3 Got Right
Checkmark Character & Ship Customization
Checkmark Tactical Land Combat
Checkmark Abundant Side Quests

Character & Ship Customization

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One of the game's strongest features is its extensive customization options. Players can tailor their character and ship to suit their preferred playstyle. This flexibility is a major draw, allowing for a personalized experience. For instance, you can design your purrivateer as an ice mage, utilizing powerful spells to freeze enemies, or as a melee warrior, engaging in close combat with formidable strength. Similarly, ship customization includes various passive skill upgrades and cannonballs that not only enhance performance but also give a unique visual flair to your vessel.

Tactical Land Combat

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The tactical combat system requires players to think strategically about each encounter. It's not just about button-mashing; positioning, timing, and the use of different abilities play crucial roles in winning battles. This depth adds a layer of complexity that keeps the gameplay engaging. The combat scenarios are varied, ensuring that players need to adapt their strategies to different enemy types and situations, which keeps the experience fresh and challenging.

Abundant Side Quests

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The game is packed with side quests that provide additional content beyond the main storyline. These quests are varied and interesting, ranging from simple fetch tasks to more complex missions involving intricate puzzles or challenging combat scenarios. This abundance of side content ensures that players always have something to do. Each side quest contributes to world-building, giving players more reasons to explore every corner of the game.

Cons of Cat Quest 3

Things That Cat Quest 3 Can Improve
Checkmark No Quest Journal
Checkmark One Camera Angle
Checkmark Fixed Controls

No Quest Journal

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The absence of a quest journal is a notable drawback. While the game tracks quests on the world map, it doesn't provide a detailed log where players can review objectives or plot points. This can lead to confusion, especially if players take a break from the game and return later, having forgotten what they were supposed to do. A quest journal would greatly enhance the user experience by providing a clear and organized way to track progress.

One Camera Angle

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The game's fixed camera angle can be limiting. In a game that emphasizes exploration and tactical combat, having the ability to adjust the camera would be beneficial. It would allow players to get better views of their surroundings, plan their moves more effectively, and appreciate the detailed environments from different perspectives. The fixed angle can sometimes hinder visibility, making it difficult to see certain areas or enemies, which can be frustrating during gameplay.

Fixed Controls

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The inability to customize control settings is a minor but impactful issue. On the PS4, the game uses the old X to enter and O to back scheme, which can be confusing for players accustomed to the newer control layout where O is to enter and X is to back. This discrepancy can disrupt the flow of gameplay, leading to occasional mistakes and frustration. Allowing players to customize controls to their preference would make the game more accessible and user-friendly.

Is Cat Quest 3 Worth It?

A Purrfect Treasure For Any Adventurer

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I can confidently say that Cat Quest 3 is worth the treasure for $19.99. While I haven't played the previous installments, this game stands strong on its own. If you loved the previous games, you'll likely enjoy this one too especially for the additional lore. For those new to the series, if you're looking for your next adventure game and you love cats and quests, this game is a great choice. It's good and provides a fresh perspective on the series. The game's strengths in visuals, gameplay, and content make it a worthwhile investment for adventure game enthusiasts.


Digital Storefronts
Steam IconSteam Playstation IconPlayStation Xbox IconXbox Switch IconSwitch
Price: $19.99


Cat Quest 3 FAQ

Is There a Physical Version of Cat Quest 3?

Yes, a physical version of the game is available on Amazon but only for PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch.

What Languages Are Supported by Cat Quest 3?

Cat Quest 3 currently supports English, Spanish, French, Italian, German, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, Chinese and Thai for its language interface.

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Cat Quest 3 Product Information

Cat Quest 3 Banner
Title CAT QUEST 3
Release Date August 8, 2024
Developer The Gentlebros
Publisher Kepler Interactive
Supported Platforms PC(Steam), PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Genre Action, Adventure, RPG
Number of Players Local Co-op (1-2)
Rating ESRB E
Official Website Cat Quest 3 Official Website

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